French Revolution

Question 1

The Estates General

Answer 1

Special parliament called by Louise XVI in May 1789 to solve the French financial crisis, consisting of all 3 Estates: Clergy, Nobility and the rest.

Question 2

Feudalism

Answer 2

System that relied on people holding land in return for service or labor to the landowner. Closely related to the French Ancient Regime.

Question 3

Bourgeoisie

Answer 3

The middle class people: shopkeepers, doctors, teachers, entrepreneurs. Significantly increased their political influence during the French revolution and the Industrial revolution.

Question 4

Ancien regime

Answer 4

Monarchical governments and their strictly hierarchical societies before the French Revolution. Closely related to feudalism

Question 5

Jacobins

Answer 5

Radical French revolutionaries. At some point led by Robespierre, their goals increasingly radicalized during the revolution leading to a split between the (more moderate) Girondins and the (more radical) Montagnards.

Question 6

The Directory

Answer 6

Although technically only a group of 5 Directors, this term is used to refer to the government of France between 1795 and 1799. Responsible for the ‘coup of Fructidor’ in 1797. Overthrown by Napoleon in 1799 (Coup of Brumaire).

Question 7

Flight to Varennes

Answer 7

The royal family’s failed attempt to escape Paris in June 1791.

Question 8

Coupe of Brumaire

Answer 8

Coup d’etat that overthrew the system of the government called the Directory and put Napoleon in power. Took place in 1799.

Question 9

Sans-culottes

Answer 9

Radical, urban, lower classes, which had a radicalizing effect on the revolutionary governments in Paris.

Question 10

Bastille

Answer 10

Fortress and prison in Paris, symbol of tyranny of the ancien régime. This was stormed on July 14, 1789. This action is sometimes seen as the start of the French Revolution as it was the first act of violence.

Question 11

Assignats

Answer 11

Paper money used instead of coins and guaranteed by the government. The value thus depends on people’s confidence in it and their willingness to accept it as payment for goods. The value was linked to the appropriated church lands.

Question 12

National Assembly

Answer 12

Parliament created in response to unfair voting procedures in the Estates General: the EG did not represent the people fairly. When they are locked out of their meeting room they will form the National Constituent Assembly.

Question 13

National Constituent Assembly

Answer 13

Parliament created in response to members of the National Assembly being locked out from their meeting place. Will swear Tennis Court Oath; promising to give France its first constitution.

Question 14

Robespierre

Answer 14

The leading member of the Committee of Public Safety during the radical phase of the French Revolution. Led to the Reign of Terror. Invented the Cult of the Supreme Being.

Question 15

National Convention

Answer 15

Parliament when France became a Republic. Will supervise the implementation of the Terror and the execution of Louis XVI. Effective executive powers were with the Committee of Public Safety.

Question 16

Tennis Court Oath

Answer 16

Members from the Third Estates and some First and Second estates members vowed to “not separate, and to reassemble wherever circumstances require until the constitution of the kingdom is established.”

Question 17

Thermidorian reaction

Answer 17

A parliamentary revolt that overthrew Robespierre and the Jacobins. Can be considered the ending point of the reign of terror and therefor the end of the radical phase of the French revolution.

Question 18

Napoleonic code

Answer 18

A set of French civil rules established by Napoleon that brought a legal system with clear, uniform and unified, established laws. Also brought back paternalism and slavery.

Question 19

The Enlightenment

Answer 19

An intellectual movement that sought to place reason and science at the center of human endeavor, pitting itself against religious irrationalism and superstition.

Question 20

The August Decree

Answer 20

A series of new laws that effectively brought about the end of feudalism in France and granted more rights to peasants and workers. Adopted in August 1789.

Question 21

Treaty of Campo Formio

Answer 21

(17 Oct. 1797) a peace settlement between France and Austria who had been at war with each other since 1792. By this treaty Belgium and several other smaller territories were handed over to France.

Question 22

Louis XVI of France

Answer 22

Louis XVI was the last king of France before the fall of the French monarchy during the French revolution, his indecisiveness caused the people of French to revolt. He is executed in January 1793 after a close vote in the National Convention.